By Tony Adibe
The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has said that, if elected into office next year, his government will make sure the dormant oil fields in the state are well activated to boost the economy of the state.
Dr. Mbah also lauded the official designation of Enugu State as an oil producing state, considering the oil wells co-owned by Enugu, Kogi and Anambra States in the Anambra River Basin, as a good development. He, however, promised to bring in foreign investors to hasten the process of exploitation of other oil and gas fields solely owned by the Coal City State.
The governorship candidate spoke during town hall meetings attended by community, political, and religious leaders as well as youth and women groups, labour and professional bodies at Idaw River Layout and Eke Otu, Amechi-Uwani, headquarters of Enugu Southeast and Enugu South Central Development Centres, respectively, in Enugu South Local Government Area within Enugu, the state capital.
Mbah said: “Apart from the OPL 916, which is co-owned, Enugu State has three other oil fields, including OPL 905, OPL 907 and OPL 914. We have the data of the oil deposits in these fields, and we would begin to generate revenues from them.
“We equally have a lot of other mineral resources such as limestone, and coal, among others, and we must optimise them for the development of our state.”
Mbah, who reiterated his determination to build Enugu into a $30 billion economy from the present $4.4 billion, also pledged to invest very well in education, skill acquisition and vocational training to fight unemployment, adding that massive job creation remained one of his major multi-pronged strategies to deal with insecurity in the state.
Meanwhile, the people of Enugu South Council Area have assured Mbah of a resounding success across the electoral wards in the local government in the 2023 general elections.
The Council Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Hon. Chimezie Nkwuo, while addressing the gathering, said the people’s faith in Mbah was predicated on his inclusive approach to governance, stressing that his decision to hear from the people on their specific needs in spite of his well-detailed manifesto, was a hallmark of people-oriented leadership.
Also, the President-General, Obeagu Community Town Union, Chief Andy Egbo, lauded Mbah for the town hall meetings, which he described as unprecedented in the history of elections in Enugu Stated, pointing out that it was a clear indication that he would be an accessible governor.
Chief Egbo called for immediate steps to tackle the problem of insecurity in Obeagu and Enugu South Central Development Centre to ensure smooth campaigns and 2023 general elections.
Similarly, key stakeholders, political and community leaders, among them the member representing Enugu South/Enugu North Federal Constituency, Hon. Prince Ofor Chukwuegbo; former Ambassador of Nigeria to Japan, Ambassador Gordi Agbo; Member representing Enugu South Urban State Constituency, Hon. Sam Ngene; and former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, while pledging the people’s support , called for more democracy dividends for the people of the area.
Deacon Ogbodo particularly observed that Enugu South LGA had been caught up by urbanisation, which had robbed the LGA of agricultural lands and equally led to emergence of urban slums due to inadequate infrastructure and enormous pressure on the few available ones.
Ogbodo, who described Enugu South LGA as endangered species, however, said that Mbah had earned their votes given his comprehensive urban renewal and infrastructural revolution agenda as captured in his manifesto. Former Leader of Enugu South Legislature, Hon. Ijeoma Nnaji, said the women of the area had decided to line up behind Mbah in the coming elections given his women-friendly manifesto.
Nnaji also stated their unflinching faith that he would implement the 35 per cent Affirmative Action when elected to encourage more women participation in governance. Former Deputy Chairman of Enugu South LGA, Hon. Duke Nwafor, who is an alumnus of the East London University as Dr. Peter Mbah, recalled that Mbah stood out as a student at the university, as his accomplishments and outstanding personality resonate and earn Nigerians respect in the university long after he left the institution.
